One signal activated TIL enables potent anti-tumor activity across solid tumor types

Abstract

Adoptive T cell therapy (ACT) with autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) has shown compelling anti-tumor activity across various solid tumors. The function and status of TIL significantly influence its anti-tumor potential. In this study, we present the development of One-Signal-Activated TIL (OSAT), highlighting its robust anti-tumor activity in various syngeneic tumor models. We designed 10 unique signals by integrating CD3Z with a secondary signaling molecule. From these, we identified a specific signal, denoted as OSAT, which efficiently induces T cell activation when paired with a sole CD3 antibody. Subsequently, we benchmarked delivery approaches for OSAT, such as genome editing, lentivirus integration, and plasmid electroporation. We found that electroporation yielded the most potent expression effect among these methods. Further, we demonstrated that OSAT exhibited robust antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo across diverse solid tumors. Finally, we synergized OSAT with PD-1 blockade therapy to achieve a highly effective and enduring anti-tumor impact in cancer immunotherapy, facilitating sustained enhancement of anti-tumor activity.